Best Colleges for Public Policy Analysis

Public Policy Analysis graduates earn an average of $39,377 annually, making program selection crucial for career success. With only 35 schools nationwide offering this specialized major, students should prioritize programs with strong government internship partnerships, quantitative research training, and faculty connections to policy organizations. Look for curricula that blend economics, statistics, and political science while providing hands-on experience through simulation exercises and real-world case studies. The most effective programs offer direct access to state capitols, federal agencies, or major think tanks. Consider faculty expertise in your areas of interest, whether healthcare policy, environmental regulation, or urban planning, as mentorship opportunities significantly impact post-graduation employment prospects.

Schools Ranked

$45,590

Avg. Program Earnings

83.4%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Median Earnings	Graduation Rate	School Type
1	Princeton University Princeton, New Jersey	$62,012	97.1%	private-nonprofit
2	Duke University Durham, North Carolina	$60,106	95.8%	private-nonprofit
3	Vanderbilt University Nashville, Tennessee	$57,318	92.7%	private-nonprofit
4	Cornell University Ithaca, New York	$57,318	95.1%	private-nonprofit
5	Rice University Houston, Texas	$55,512	95.7%	private-nonprofit
6	Dickinson College Carlisle, Pennsylvania	$55,338	83.4%	private-nonprofit
7	University of Chicago Chicago, Illinois	$52,663	94.9%	private-nonprofit
8	Hamilton College Clinton, New York	$50,856	91.3%	private-nonprofit
9	Trinity College Hartford, Connecticut	$47,260	82.8%	private-nonprofit
10	Mount Saint Mary's University Los Angeles, California	$46,478	53.4%	private-nonprofit
11	Southern Methodist University Dallas, Texas	$45,852	83.3%	private-nonprofit
12	Hobart William Smith Colleges Geneva, New York	$44,942	72.7%	private-nonprofit
13	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, Michigan	$44,384	93.2%	public
14	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, Virginia	$43,575	86.3%	public
15	Washington State University Pullman, Washington	$42,682	61.6%	public
16	St. Mary's College of Maryland St. Mary's City, Maryland	$39,648	68.0%	public
17	William & Mary Williamsburg, Virginia	$39,153	91.0%	public
18	Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan	$39,009	82.2%	public
19	Northwestern University Evanston, Illinois	$39,009	95.9%	private-nonprofit
20	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, North Carolina	$38,289	92.1%	public
21	University of Rhode Island Kingston, Rhode Island	$36,668	71.0%	public
22	Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, Arizona	$36,560		public
23	Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, Arizona	$36,560	67.8%	public
24	University of Mississippi University, Mississippi	$35,416	68.5%	public
25	Brandeis University Waltham, Massachusetts	$33,138	86.1%	private-nonprofit